by Beth Andrews
“Your contract is with the winery, which Aidan runs. For the next few months, anyway.” Yvonne must’ve looked as horrified as she felt, because Diane’s expression softened. “Don’t worry. He’ll treat you fairly.”
“How can you be sure?”
She shrugged, then opened the door. “Because you’re what’s best for the company. Aidan always does what’s best for the Diamond Dust.”
CHAPTER THREE
THOUGH THE DOOR to Aidan’s office was open in welcome, Yvonne couldn’t force her feet forward. One thing was for certain, that welcome wasn’t meant for her.
She squeezed her eyes shut, hard. When she opened them again, spots danced in her vision. Those spots, she reminded herself, were like her memories. Real enough, yes. But quick to fade.
Elongating her spine as she’d been taught during her years on the pageant circuit, she raised her hand to tap on the door frame, then caught sight of Aidan staring out the window.
She slowly lowered her arm. The sunlight picked up the golden threads in his hair, and though his hands were in his pockets, one hip leaning against the windowsill, there was still an…edge to him. A hardness he couldn’t hide even when he thought he was all alone. The same hardness she’d detected in him earlier.
She was afraid she was the cause of it.
As if sensing her presence, he stiffened and turned, catching her staring at him like a lovesick newlywed. It was as if she was transported back to when her entire world had revolved around him. When all she’d cared about was making him happy, and her greatest fear had been of not being the woman he wanted her to be.
She bit the inside of her cheek.
“Do you have a minute?” she asked, when it was obvious he wasn’t going to invite her in.
He wanted to say no. She could see that clearly in the set of his jaw. The coolness in his eyes. Instead, he inclined his head. An affirmation? In condescension? She wasn’t sure.
She stepped into the room. He didn’t move, but looked her over from the top of her freshly heat-ironed hair to the ruffle on her blouse and the edge of her skirt at her knees. Her scalp prickled.
And when something cold and wet nudged her hand, she about jumped right out of her Jimmy Choos and hit the ceiling.
Her heart in her throat, she glanced down at a large dog with brown eyes and shiny, rust-colored fur. She lifted her hand to her mouth, biting gently on the knuckle of her forefinger—something she hadn’t done since she was ten and had finally given in to her mother’s constant nagging and broken the bad habit. She dropped her hand. The dog barked and Yvonne recoiled.
“She won’t hurt you.”
Unwilling to take her eyes off the dog—or those teeth—for more than a second, Yvonne didn’t so much as glance at Aidan. “No. I…I’m sure she won’t.”
Except that for every hesitant step back Yvonne took, the dog took one forward.
“Lily,” Aidan said in his deep voice. “Come here.”
The dog—Lily—sniffed at the laptop Yvonne gripped in her hand. Sweat broke out along her hairline. She hoped Aidan couldn’t hear the wild thumping of her heart.
Aidan, however, with his watchful eyes and quick mind, never missed anything.
He snapped his fingers. “Lily. Now.”
After one more sniff, the dog padded over to him. He patted her head—as a reward for obeying him or because the dog hadn’t ripped Yvonne’s hand off at the wrist, she didn’t know.
Maybe both.
“I…” She swallowed and tried again. “I didn’t know you had a…a dog.”
Unrolling the sleeves of his denim shirt, he raised his eyebrows. “I hadn’t realized I was to keep you abreast of any pets I may or may not have. Or did I miss something in our divorce agreement?”
She blushed furiously. “No. No, of course not. I just… I had no idea you liked—” she glanced at the dog, which seemed to be watching her with more interest than was warranted “—animals.”
“Now you do.”
“Right.” But…what else didn’t she know about him? After all, it’d been almost seven years since she’d seen him last. A lot could happen in that amount of time. A lump formed in her throat. Oh, dear Lord. “Did you…have you remarried?” she asked, looking around the room for signs of a wife.
She cringed. But it was too late to take her question back, much as she would like to.
He paused in the act of buttoning his sleeve. “No.”
She felt light-headed. “Oh. That’s…” What? A relief? A disappointment? She wasn’t sure which one would be the bigger lie. “I was engaged,” she heard herself blurt out, the nails of her free hand digging into her palm. “It didn’t work out.”
Aidan went completely still. For a moment she wondered if he was even breathing. But then he lifted his head and his expression was so dispassionate, goose bumps rose on her arms. “I don’t remember asking.”
No. Of course he hadn’t. Why did she bring it up? She hardly enjoyed discussing her broken engagement or her ex-fiancé—the man her parents had chosen for her once her divorce from Aidan had been final. A man who’d wanted her because of her name.
She needed to stay calm and get her rioting emotions under control before he saw through her facade and took that control away from her.
Yvonne smiled, professional, confident and totally fake. “I was hoping we could go over a few things—if you have time, that is.”
“Actually, I’m in the middle of something.”
Her expression never faltered. “Yes, I could see how busy you were when I came in. But, perhaps when you do get a free minute, we could—”
“My schedule seems to be full for the next few days,” he said, crossing his arms. “Sorry.”
She set her free hand on her hip. “Diane said you were running the winery. That I had to speak to you about any ideas regarding hosting events.”
“That’s right.”
“So when, exactly,” she said through barely moving lips, “can this conversation take place?”
He crossed to his massive mahogany desk and flipped a page of his appointment book. “I can give you thirty minutes Monday morning at eight.”
“But that’s—” she did a quick calculation. “—five days from now.”
“Look at that. All those accounting classes did pay off.”
“I have only six weeks to get your mother’s wedding planned,” she said in carefully modulated tones. “I can’t wait until Monday.”
“It’s the best I can do.”
Had she forgotten how stubborn he was? “In that case,” she said, all sweetness and light while she clutched her laptop case, “Monday will be fine.”
“Have a list of the topics you want to discuss, along with your ideas, to me by Friday.”
“So you won’t have to spend any more time in my company than necessary?”
He sat on the thronelike leather chair and leaned back. The flat line of his mouth and the way he studied her gave her the answer to her question. “I guess I’ll see you Monday then.”
She blushed. He was dismissing her. Oh, it was polite enough, she supposed, but it still felt as if he’d put a foot to her rear and given her a good shove.
Yvonne turned and even took a step toward the door before facing him again. “Maybe it would help if we got a few things out in the open.”
“Help what?”
“Help ease this…awkwardness.”
Awkwardness she couldn’t stand. That made her want to hide within herself so she wouldn’t do or say anything to make things worse.
Except he didn’t seem to be uncomfortable in the least. His hands were linked together on his flat stomach, his shoulders relaxed. The only sign he wasn’t less than perfectly put together were the slight wrinkles on his sleeves from having rolled them up earlier.
Some things never changed. As always, he was calm, his thoughts neatly hidden, his feelings under wraps. While she fought not to show how frazzled she was, how worried that she’d say the
wrong thing.
“Your mother assured me I’ll be treated fairly and without bias while I’m here,” Yvonne said, sounding even to her own ears like the petulant princess Aidan thought she was.
“But you doubt her word?”
“Not at all.” She’d be a fool to doubt what Diane said. Besides, she wanted to believe her job here could go smoothly. “But I’d like to hear it from you.”
He sat up slowly. “Hear what, exactly?”
“That you’ll be fair. That you’re going to give me a chance to do my job.”
She had to force herself not to squirm under his watchful gaze. “I can guarantee that you’ll be treated like any other employee.”
“But I’m not any other employee. I was your wife.”
His eyes narrowed to slits. “Was being the operative word.”
Her heart pounded so hard, she was sure he could see it fluttering the ruffles on her shirt. “Wife being the important one. I want to make sure we can work together.”
“You really don’t know why my mother hired you, do you?”
Though suddenly uneasy, she kept any hint of it out of her tone. “She hired me to plan her wedding. And because the Diamond Dust needs someone to help coordinate events.”
“We only decided to start hosting events Sunday night—and before you start counting, that was three days ago. And, out of all the events coordinators in the South, she hired you. It never occurred to you to wonder why?”
Yvonne brushed a dog hair from her skirt. “She needed someone with experience who was willing to relocate—”
“She hired you,” he said flatly, “because she thinks if we work together, you’ll get back in my life. She hired you because she wants us to get together again.”
PANIC FLARED IN Yvonne’s dark eyes. But she remained steady on those pencil-thin high heels of hers. “I’m sorry,” she said, as if they were discussing whether to have salmon or chicken for dinner, “I don’t under stand.”
His curled fists hidden from view under his desk, Aidan studied her. As if she didn’t have a care in the world, was above everything he said.
If that was true, why did her fingers tremble when she swept her hair off her shoulder?
He wasn’t the only one out of sorts. Good.
“Seeing as how you’re not stupid or hard of hearing,” he said mildly, “you understand perfectly.”
Her mouth turned down. “Diane wants us back together?”
Aidan held her gaze as he straightened in his chair. “Or maybe you already knew that.”
“Excuse me?” she asked, sounding as snobby and cold as her mother had when Aidan and Yvonne went to Savannah and announced their engagement to her parents.
But he’d been so sure Yvonne was different from her mom. That underneath that cool demeanor was a real, live woman. And all he had to do was help warm her up.
“Have you missed me, Yvonne? Are you looking for a reconciliation?”
She didn’t blush or appear guilty. She just looked…scared. As if the idea of getting back together with him was worse than having her fingernails ripped off. His mouth twisted. Right. Because living with him had been such pure hell. It’d been so bad she’d walked off without so much as giving him a chance to convince her to stay.
“I assure you,” she said, no longer sounding in control, “I had no idea. I…” She pressed her lips together. “I thought Diane hired me because I’m a good wedding planner.”
She seemed sincere. Hell, he probably would have believed her if he hadn’t already learned not to trust anything she said.
I love you. Till death do us part, she’d vowed at their wedding.
She could claim the earth was round and he’d want a second opinion.
He picked up his mechanical pencil and tapped it against the top of his desk, causing Lily to raise her head. “Now that you’re aware of Mom’s real agenda, I’m sure you’ll agree that backing out of your contract is the only option.”
Yvonne frowned and shifted, the movement causing her breasts to sway slightly under the ruffle of her top, drawing his attention to the way that damn skirt hugged her hips. In stark black and white, the severe lines of the skirt contrasting with the soft femininity of her top, highlighted her sexy elegance. As if nothing and no one could touch her.
Good thing he didn’t want to try.
“I can’t do that,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry. I truly am, and I realize this situation is…uncomfortable…for both of us, but I’m staying.”
“Did you get fired?”
Her lips twitched. “No, I’m gainfully employed.”
“Then there’s no reason you can’t return to Charleston.”
“None at all. And I will when I’ve met my obligation here. Until then, can’t we figure out a way to make this work?” She began to lift her laptop case. “If we could get past—”
She broke off when Lily, excited that the new person in the room was moving, got up and walked over to sniff at Yvonne’s backside. Yvonne froze, her face white.
Damn it. He didn’t want to see her afraid. Didn’t like the tug of sympathy that caused in him. How it made him feel…protective of her.
“Lily, sit,” he ordered, more gruffly than necessary.
Lily lowered her head and crept back to her spot by the window. He rubbed the nape of his neck. Great. Now he was taking his irritation out on his dog.
“Since you insist on sticking around,” he said tightly, “you’ll have to get used to Lily. She has free run of the Diamond Dust. And I’m not about to keep her locked up because you don’t like animals.”
“No. Of course not. I would never ask you to keep it…her…” Yvonne paused long enough to take a deep breath and regain her composure. “I’m sorry. I…I don’t have much experience with animals…with pets. Mother never allowed them.”
No doubt Elaine Delisle thought pets were too messy. “Luckily, my family doesn’t share your mother’s opinion. There have always been dogs at the vineyard.”
“There weren’t any…”
Before. When they’d first moved to Jewell after his father became sick. When they were still married. Before she’d walked out on their marriage.
“Mom hadn’t wanted to get another dog after their last one died.” He tossed his pencil aside and got to his feet, unable to remain seated. “Too painful.”
Yvonne nodded as if she completely understood, playing the part of concerned, sympathetic ex for all she was worth. She was excellent at all her roles, whatever they may be. Obedient daughter. Beauty queen.
Aidan had thought he’d known her better than anyone else ever would. Ever could. Until she’d left and he’d realized he hadn’t known her at all.
She cleared her throat, glancing at Lily with clear trepidation. “As you can see, I’m a bit…nervous around dogs.”
Not his problem. It wasn’t up to him to make her feel safe. Happy.
But as much as he didn’t want her here, he couldn’t let her think that every time she stepped outside her door, she was risking being torn apart by his good-natured dog. He wasn’t that big of an ass. No matter what his brothers said about him.
He snapped his fingers and Lily padded over and sat next to his leg. “Lily’s a good dog. Sweet as they come and well-trained—”
“I didn’t mean to imply—”
“I know,” he said, “that you didn’t mean to imply I didn’t train my dog. I’m saying that she won’t hurt you. You have my word on that.”
Yvonne smiled, relieved. She trusted him.
It nearly undid him.
He scowled and her smile faded. She switched the laptop case to her other hand. “I appreciate that. Especially as I know you’re a man who always keeps his word.”
“Funny thing about that…once I make a promise, I keep it.” He searched her face, her beautiful, treacherous face.
Her flinch was slight, but noticeable, letting him know his dig had hit home. He didn’t find much satisfaction in it.
&
nbsp; Then she tipped her head. “Not everyone has your conviction, or your sense of responsibility and right and wrong,” she said, so sweetly, he didn’t believe she meant a word of it. “And sometimes, keeping a promise means giving up something a person isn’t willing to lose.”
He narrowed his eyes. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Was she talking about their marriage, as he had been, and her choice to break her vows? He concentrated on keeping his breathing slow and even, pretended his chest wasn’t tight, his muscles not tensed.
He’d never asked her to give up anything for him—except living in Savannah. But she’d been all for moving to Jewell to help his parents during his father’s illness. She’d even suggested they buy a house, to make the move more permanent. She’d wanted their own place, she’d told him. Their own home. A place where they belonged.
“Guess that’s what they call making a sacrifice,” he said. And he didn’t plan on sacrificing his peace of mind for the next two months, or fall blindly in line with his mother’s plans. “You came in here to get some sort of guarantee I’d treat you fairly. Let me just say that during your stint here, I’ll treat you cordially and with the respect you deserve.” There was nothing in his tone that suggested that amount of respect would be little to none. “And that’s a promise.”
One he could make without any worries about risking his pride. Or his heart. He never made the same mistake twice.
He sat back down and put on his reading glasses with one hand, while picking up a random piece of paper with the other. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do before I can go home, and I’d like to get back to it.”
He pretended to study the paper—an invoice Matt had given him earlier for the cost of new plantings. She didn’t call him on how she’d walked in on him doing nothing more than staring out the window, but she also didn’t leave. He turned to his computer and moved the mouse to wake it from sleep mode.
After a few moments, she finally turned and walked away.